Synagogue in Będzin

The synagogue in Będzin stood on the former Bożnicza Street, at the foot of the castle hill. It has not existed since September 1939. Today the site is marked by a monument, not a building.

What the synagogue in Będzin was

The brick synagogue was built in 1881 on the site of an earlier, wooden house of prayer. In old postcards it can be seen together with Będzin Castle, from the side of the Czarna Przemsza river.

What happened in September 1939

In the night of 8 to 9 September 1939 German soldiers set fire to the synagogue. Inside there were people praying inside, the fire lasted about 20 hours, and firefighters were prevented from putting it out. The number of victims is not given. The later fate of the Jews of Będzin is told on the page about the Będzin ghetto.

The monument on the site of the synagogue

On 1 September 1993 a granite obelisk was unveiled here. The inscription commemorates the Jews, residents of Będzin and the surrounding area, murdered by the Nazis during the Second World War. The monument was funded by the Society of Friends of Będzin.

Practical information

• Place: Będzin, former Bożnicza Street, next to the castle hill.
• What can be seen is an obelisk with a plaque; the synagogue building no longer exists.
• Check the exact location of the monument on a map before you visit.